Match Recap: Sacramento Republic FC 4, Orange County SC 0

By Sean Steimel, 04/01/17, 10:30PM PDT

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Republic FC secure three points at home behind a brace from Sammy Ochoa and goals from Wilson Kneeshaw and Harry Williams to defeat Orange County SC 4-0 in front of a sold out Papa Murphy’s Park crowd.

Orange County SC nearly opened the scoring in the 5th minute after enjoying much of the possession. Midfielder Carlos Alvarez found space in the box and tried to send a redirected header on goal that nearly grazed the crossbar and went out of play. Midfielder Gustavo Villalobos almost had the first goal a minute later after an impressive counter attack from the visiting team, but the Villalobos effort went just wide. Republic FC keeper Evan Newton was called into action in the 12th minute to make a crucial save and stop a threatening attack from OC forward Duke Lacroix.

After withstanding an offensive onslaught from OC, Republic FC broke through first in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Agustin Cazarez came away with a steal in the middle of the pitch and laid it of to captain Danny Barrera who then looked up field to find Wilson Kneeshaw. The forward was flying up the left wing, beat the defense and ran onto the ball, before sending a shot on goal, which was blocked away by OC keeper Charlie Lyon. Kneeshaw stuck with the play and ran onto the rebound before taking another shot on goal, which Lyon was again able to parry away. Republic FC forward Sammy Ochoa followed the whole play and was in perfect position to secure the rebound and rifle and one-touch, right-footed scorcher through all of the traffic and into the back of the net to put Republic FC ahead 1-0 going into the break.

Ochoa would double the lead in the 60th minute as he tapped in a perfect pass across the face of goal from Kneeshaw. Ochoa was in prime position to score as he was waiting far post for a cross that Kneeshaw had initially gotten to and sent a shot that ricocheted off the near post. Kneeshaw followed the ball and beat the keeper before sliding a ball across the face of goal for Ochoa to finish, putting Republic FC ahead 2-0.

Kneeshaw added a third goal for Republic FC in the 68th minute when he smashed a volley into the back of the net off of a perfectly looped cross from midfielder Tyler Blackwood.

Second-half substitute forward Harry Williams would add a fourth and final goal in stoppage time. The forward was played free with a long pass down the middle of the field from Daniel Trickett-Smith. Williams then headed the ball past the onrushing Lyon and then slotted the ball into the empty net, ending the match 4-0 for Republic FC.

“Tonight we showed what a good team we can be this season,” said Republic FC Head Coach and Technical Director Paul Buckle. “I am very pleased with four goals and I am very pleased with a clean sheet.”

Republic FC begins a three-match stretch of road matches that will take them to Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Kansas City before returning home on Apr. 22. Republic FC will face Tulsa Roughnecks FC on Saturday, Apr. 8 to begin the road stretch. Kickoff is 5 p.m. PT. Tickets for the next home match are available at Ticketmaser.com.